Nerve-sparing in salvage robot-assisted prostatectomy: surgical technique, oncological and functional outcomes at a single high-volume institution

Objective: To show the feasibility, oncological and functional outcomes of neurovascular bundle (NVB) preservation during salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Patients and Methods: In the present institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis, between January 2008 and March 2016, 80 patients underwent salvage RARP, performed by a single surgeon (V.P), because of local recurrence after primary treatment. These patients were categorized into two groups depending on the degree of nerve-sparing (NS) performed: a good-NS group (≥50% of NVB preservation) and a poor-NS group (<50% of NVB preservation). A standard transperitoneal six-port technique, using the DaVinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), was performed, and either an anterograde or a retrograde approach was used for NVB preservation. Validated questionnaires were used preoperatively (Sexual Health Inventory for Men [SHIM] and American Urological Association scores). Potency after salvage RARP was defined as the ability to achieve a successful erection with penetration >50% of the time, while full continence after salvage RARPwas defined as 0 pads used. The Kaplan–Meier method was used for survival and predictive estimations, and regression models were used to identify the predictors of potency, continence and biochemical failure (BCF). Results: The potency rate at 12 months was higher in the good-NS group (25.6% vs 4.3%; P = 0.036) regardless of previous SHIM score, and good NS tended to be predictive of potency after salvage RARP (P = 0.065). The full continence rate at 12 months and BCF rate were similar in the two groups, and non-radiation primary treatment was the only predictor of continence at 12 months after salvage RARP (P = 0.033). Conclusions: Our data support the feasibility and safety of NVB preservation for salvage RARP conducted in select patients in a high-volume institution and the subsequent better recovery of adequate erections for intercourse.